AROUND THE WORLD

U.S. general hits North's tests

July 02, 2007

SEOUL, KOREAN PENINSULA — The top U.S. military commander in South Korea on Monday criticized last week's missile test launches by North Korea, saying the country remains a threat despite its recent moves toward dismantling its nuclear program.

Gen. B.B. Bell said he welcomed Pyongyang's efforts to live up to a February commitment to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor.

But he also noted the communist country still retains the capability to attack Seoul with conventional artillery and special forces. "This is a very real threat which cannot be ignored," he told reporters at the National Press Club in Seoul.

Last week, North Korea test-fired three surface-to-surface missiles that landed in the North's territorial waters, the Defense Department said.